—

“…Rem is here too, huh.”

Just then, a voice called from the side, and Rem slowly looked up.

In the connection part of the Dragon Carriage, the one who spoke to Rem, who was leaning against the wall of the vehicle, was the silver-haired girl—Emilia, who had opened the door of the adjacent car.

With a beautiful face and gentle eyes, she was accompanied by a girl whose hand she was holding. That girl was Beatrice, who had rushed to the capital amidst the chaos alongside Subaru.

It was a heartwarming sight, but Rem’s feelings upon seeing them were deeply complicated.

Of course, it was because they were related to the lost memories of Rem that she herself didn’t know, but that wasn’t all there was to it.

Unlike her sister Ram, whom Rem had a sensory certainty about, or the other companions who called themselves allies, these two were special. —Because they were closely intertwined with Subaru.

In the situation surrounding the capital, even during his unconsciousness, it was these two with whom she felt the strongest connection.

Rem herself didn’t quite understand why it bothered her so much—

“Emilia-san, Beatrice-chan…”

“Rem is worried about the outcome of the discussions, is she?”

“Worried… yes, I guess I might be.”

Upon being asked by Beatrice, Rem slightly lowered her gaze.

She was standing idly in an empty corridor because she was watching over a room a little ways off—allocated as Natsuki Subaru’s sleeping quarters.

In the room, after many visitors had dispersed, Subaru and Abel were now in confrontation.

Abel, with a stern expression—often seen with a devil’s mask—was fresh to Rem whenever she saw his true face.

However, as far as Rem knew, Abel was always frowning when unmasked. Despite that, today, his already grim expression seemed tenser than ever.

“Rem has been watching Subaru and Abel… um, Emperor Vincent, together for a while now? How was it? Did they get along?”

“I’m not used to calling him Emperor Vincent. Moreover, I wouldn’t say they were on good terms. Their thoughts may align, but their feelings do not…”

“Ah, I had a feeling it would be like that…”

“Well, it was an expected conversation. Abel’s way of thinking is more like oil and water with Subaru. Betty prefers Subaru’s sweeter way of thinking.”

“Oh, Beatrice spoils Subaru far too much. You have to listen to Abel’s opinions too… um, Vincent’s opinions as well!”

At Rem’s response, Emilia sighed dejectedly, while Beatrice pouted at the latter part of the discussion.

In front of Rem, who thought her expressions changed so rapidly, Emilia looked surprised and added an “Ah” as more astonishment came to her.

“Also, Rem. I have to be Emily in Volakia, you know…”

“…um, does that have some significance?”

“Of course it does. No one thinks of me as Emilia. Right, Beatrice?”

“Betty is sweet on Emilia too, so her not answering is likely an act of kindness.”

“Eh? What do you mean!?”

Emilia’s eyes widened at Beatrice’s gentle evasion.

Even in the playful exchange between the two who couldn’t be disliked, Rem felt her emotions being swayed but quickly grew fond of Emilia and the others.

After all, if what she heard was true, they had risked great danger to come all the way to this country to search for Rem and Subaru. There was no way she could dislike them.

“Unlike that person, there’s no cause for doubt.”

Subaru, wrapped in a stench that triggered intense, instinctive caution. Much of Rem’s hostility came from that, but there was none of that aura around Emilia and the others.

Since there was no reason to bite like with Lui or the “People of Shudrak,” and Flopp, they were different.

That said—

“…It’s also a bit scary how that smell has suddenly faded.”

While separated, it was also worrying that the strong smell emanating from Subaru had vanished.

Not knowing exactly what it was, it was definitely better for it to not exist, so one would say the situation had improved.

As she was thinking that—

“Huh? Rem-chan, Emily-chan, and Beatrice-chan!”

From the opposite car, someone opened the door and joyfully called out the names of the three.

Waving energetically, the tall woman approaching them had long golden hair freely adorned and, like a dancer, revealed skin, all while being clearly well-proportioned for her age.

That was—

“—Medium-san!”

“Hey there! Could it be that you all are worried about Abel-chan and Subaru-chan too?”

“Yes, that’s right. Medium-chan too?”

“Yup! Look, I finally got my big body back, so unlike when I was little, I can probably help in stopping adult fights now!”

Puffing her chest up proudly, Medium responded—though Rem hadn’t seen her for a long time, like Subaru, she had also changed from adult to child in appearance.

Medium’s youthful self had her vivacious essence, making her very lovable, but Rem felt more at ease with her familiar appearance.

It seems like Medium had also felt quite frustrated being small for a long time, and now she was joyfully relishing her grown-up body.

In any case—

“To stop a fight… that means between that person and Abel?”

“Yep! It’s been a while since the two had a proper talk, and it looks like they might be prone to violence, right?”

“Who knows… that person aside, I can’t imagine Abel would be violent.”

Rem’s impression of Abel was that he was the one to say painful things with a stern face and powerful voice.

However, unlike Rem, who furrowed her brows at Medium’s worry, Emilia and Beatrice seemed to align more with her opinion.

“Betty agrees with Medium’s opinion. At the very least, Subaru should have a ton to say to that emperor and would surely snap.”

“Right. Even I’m a little worried. A fight isn’t just about hitting each other; words can wound too.”

“…Is it really like that?”

Certainly, it didn’t seem likely that Abel would raise his hand, so clashes wouldn’t likely result in a physical altercation, but it was very possible for Subaru to become emotional and the debate to escalate.

While Rem felt that Subaru was often won over due to Abel’s rationality, he might not have any breathing room now. They hadn’t exchanged many words since Abel reclaimed his position as emperor, but she understood the concerns of Medium and the others.

Then that guess was confirmed almost immediately.

“—Listen up, okay? First of all, we’re going to sneak over to Garfiel’s. He should understand the dire circumstances we have.”

“The scandal of a knight of the kingdom raising hand against the emperor of the empire…”

“Just remember, if it goes to trial, I have the ultimate back-up plan to spill everything on how you were!”

While subtly exchanging hushed talks, the door to the room opened.

Two dark-eyed individuals peeked in to check if the corridor was clear, meeting the eyes of Rem and the others who awaited the resolution of the discussions.

“Ah,” Subaru opened his mouth, “hm?” Abel frowned.

However, the reactions of Rem and the others upon seeing the two were far from calm. After all, both Subaru and Abel were smeared in blood.

“Don’t tell me…”

“Both of them are having a much bigger fight than I thought!?”

“T-This is terrible! Beatrice! Quick, use healing magic…!”

“See! I knew it! Maybe Betty should have been present after all!!”

In a flurry, the women rushed to welcome them, while Subaru and Abel exchanged glances. Abel sighed, while Subaru raised both hands as if he had resigned.

Then he stated,

“Um, I’m definitely going to get scolded for this, so before that, I should mention… we made up!”

With an embarrassed smile that looked like he was trying to deliver some good news, he said so.

—

In the end, their injuries were as minor as a few cuts; it wasn’t anything spectacular.

“That said, the inside of the room is a total mess, and… there’s no budget for another room,”

“No, don’t go telling me to prepare another room, just because I’m trying to do better! Oh! Medium-san! You’re back to normal!”

“Yep-yep! See, I finally got back to my big body, Subaru-chan! But hey, no-no! That’s a happy thing to say, but I’m still mad! You both are like this because it couldn’t be helped~!”

Saying that, Medium scolded Subaru, who had fallen sulkily.

Subaru, who sulked, was receiving the brunt of Medium’s sternness, but even more so, it was Abel who had tussled with Subaru who took the stronger rebuke.

“Abel-chan too! You’re a grown-up messing around with little Subaru-chan, no less!”

“…Do you have any idea what you’ve done? You raised your hand to the emperor.”

“What’s with that important air that no one is scolding you for, Abel-chan? That’s exactly how you ended up like this!”

“—”

Abel, arms crossed and wearing a grim expression, was glares at in disapproval by Medium. As could be seen from their earlier exchange, astonishingly, Medium had struck Abel’s head.

One might understand wanting to scold someone who might have tussled with a visually young Subaru given the room’s devastation, but Rem was impressed by this boldness.

“If Medium is okay with it, would it be fine if I hit him too?”

“Don’t be a freeloader. We don’t have time to go through each act of disrespect right now. Don’t create additional burdens by needing to decide whether it’s punishment compared to post-war achievements.”

“That’s unfortunate.”

Naturally, Rem didn’t think she would get permission, but she took it as a victory just to hear the word “post-war” from Abel’s mouth.

At least Abel was looking ahead. While she didn’t know what conversations were held inside, it felt like his light and complexion had improved compared to when she visited the room.

“—Okay, I’m fine now. But I need to change my clothes; otherwise, everyone will get worried, so I should change first before joining everyone.”

“Honestly, you are such a hassle. You don’t give Betty any peace of mind.”

“Sorry, sorry. But this feels refreshing. For a while now, aside from Tanzer, it’s been nothing but men worrying about me.”

Using the handkerchief she carried, Emilia wiped the blood off Subaru’s face and hands while doing so, Beatrice, who had seemingly treated his injuries, shrugs her shoulders, but there was a hint of relief mixed with joy on her face.

Both of them had an impression of being happy to take care of Subaru.

Watching them made Rem feel a warmth in her chest.

“Hey, hey, Abel-chan, do you think you can handle it?”

As Rem pondered, Medium tilted her head and asked Abel.

Upon hearing that question, Abel narrowed his black eyes, paused for a beat, and then nodded.

“I have no issue. I have no right to half-heartedly fulfill my duties since I chose to take the throne as emperor.”

“—? Does that mean you’re going to give it your all as emperor?”

“—That’s one way to break down, but generally speaking, yes.”

“I see! Then I completely agree! Let’s do our best together!”

With her face suddenly lighting up, Medium raised her hand towards Abel. Abel glared at Medium’s hand and turned his face away.

Medium’s distant reaction made her about-face her own hand to clap it and snapped her fingers, then—

“Well then, shall we head over to everyone? Your brother was also wanting to have a talk with Abel-chan.”

“I don’t have the luxury of time to sit down with him, but Serena Dracloy’s flying dragon ship should be arriving soon. In any case, I want to talk with the main players.”

“—Ah, please wait a moment.”

As Medium prodded, Abel jerked his chin.

It was understood that Abel wanted to advance matters quickly and that a significant discussion about handling the problems occurring in the capital would occur from here onward.

Naturally, Subaru and Emilia would likely be present as important figures, but before all that, Rem had something she needed to say.

Half of Rem standing here was due to concern about the tangled relationship between Subaru and Abel, and the other half was to voice her thoughts on it.

“Abel, I also have something I want to do before everyone else… something I must do. So, please let me go first.”

“Ah…”

Rem, who tried to stop the exchange only to reveal her purpose, was interrupted as Subaru began to speak, and his gaze turned towards her.

That gaze made Rem understand that what he wanted to do was the same as what she intended to say. So, Rem sealed her lips and nodded.

And—

“—Rem, please lead me to Kachua.”

—

“What’s this, kid? This isn’t a place for you to be.”

Upon visiting the target room, Subaru was taken aback by a coarse voice welcoming him.

Standing in the doorway was a rugged-looking man with an eyepatch—struggling to unlock his memory for a moment, he suddenly realized.

“It’s Jamal…?”

“Ah? How do you know my name? I don’t know you.”

“You’re alive…”

“Such a rude kid, huh?”

Jamal, who opened his surprisingly well-aligned teeth, roared like the inside of his throat was angry. He was one of the first people Subaru met when he was transported to the Volakia Empire—yes, a man who was the partner of Todd Fang.

From what Subaru knew, as far as he understood, Todd had freed a certain captain he captured at Castle City Gwararu, and Jamal had been captured for remaining behind.

Afterward, much had happened involving Subaru, so he had honestly completely forgotten about Jamal’s safety.

“Why are you in this room?”

“Why would it be weird for me to be in my sister’s room?”

“Sister… ah.”

Hearing that answer, the sound of mystery dissolving echoed in Subaru’s mind as he remembered.

Now that he thought about it, Todd had mentioned that his fiancée was Jamal’s sister. This meant that the Jamal in front of him and that Kachua were real siblings.

That fragile Kachua and the rough and tough Jamal were siblings.

“The hair color and messiness are similar… right?”

“I don’t really get it, but I understand you’re saying irritating things. Kid, if you don’t want to hurt, then hurry on out…”

“—Sister! Stop!”

Seemingly unable to stomach Subaru’s attitude, Jamal started to roll up his sleeves, striking a pose as if to force him out. However, before he could execute that, a high voice from behind Jamal halted his action.

As Subaru peeked around Jamal, he saw the same layout as the guest room he had been lain in, and inside, a woman was lying down.

That was—

“Kachua!”

“Hey, you finally woke up… you’ve really been sleeping too long, you know. Really, really…”

Kachua turned her face towards Subaru from behind her pesky brother’s body and began to sit up. Jamal hurriedly went to her.

“Don’t push yourself! You don’t know when you might die, so move carefully.”

“I’m not that fragile! Don’t compare me to a lazy brother who wouldn’t die even if dead…!”

“You’re telling me you thought I was dead when you were the one who went giving the death sentence…!?”

Jamal trembled slightly as he was brushed aside in concern and even had the disgrace of being made to wear the title of a dead person.

There seemed to be many things in the reunion of these siblings, but digging into that wasn’t Subaru’s focus. The reason for stepping foot here was something separate.

“—Are you okay?”

Upon seeing Subaru’s foot linger as he slowly lowered his gaze, it was Rem who asked that question.

Having apologized to Emilia and the others, Subaru had come to this room with Rem.

Since she was Kachua’s friend, Rem had the right to stand in this place. —Subaru wanted her to hear what he was about to say from here.

“Yeah, I’m fine.”

Nodding, Subaru entered the room.

Inside, Kachua and Jamal still seemed to be arguing, but when Rem and Subaru entered, Kachua closed her mouth.

She then lowered her long-lashed, blue eyes and quietly said,

“…Are you okay now?”

Even if it was a dramatization before getting into the main topic, Kachua’s concern about Subaru’s well-being was tender.

Her tone was blunt and curt, but it was undeniable that her heart held a purity, which is why she had made friends with the less trustworthy Rem.

Subaru knew he had to convey to her.

“Yeah, I’m okay. Thank you for worrying about me.”

“…I’m not worried. It’s just that girl seemed anxious.”

“—”

When Subaru glanced briefly at Rem, her expression was stiff as she stood next to him.

Roughly, she could guess what kind of conversation was about to happen here, so she didn’t have the usual excessive reactions to Kachua’s words.

To hope for that was a reminder of his own weakness for wanting to postpone the main topic, so Subaru took a deep breath and exhaled.

Then—

“I’m sorry. I couldn’t bring Todd back.”

He reported on Todd, with whom he had decisively parted in the capital.

—

“—”

Clenching his small fist tightly, he conveyed the cruel reality along with the pain.

In the last battle in the capital, he cooperated with Todd in breaking through the encirclement of the zombies, but even so, they had no choice but to clash.

Subaru, who had decided not to kill Todd despite loathing and despising him, confronted him, fighting.

And yet, in the end—

“He got swept away by that flood that washed into the city, so after that…”

“—Ah.”

“Just, he fought against the zombies as bait and got wounded everywhere. So…”

Upon hearing Subaru’s report, Kachua let out a choked breath. Layering on top of that breath, Subaru conveyed what he saw, not in the form he had witnessed.

If he were so inclined, Subaru could have given Kachua hopes as well.

In fact, the last time Subaru had laid eyes on Todd, he was swallowed up by that muddy current. If no body was found, then he could have implied there was hope for survival.

However, Subaru had not done so.

“—”

The last time he saw Todd was when he was swallowed by that flood.

But that expression lacked accuracy. To be exact, the last time Subaru had seen Todd, he was in his werewolf form, deeply cleaved by an axe strike and swallowed by the flood.

—Injured heavily, losing consciousness, and being consumed by the flood.

“—”

Hearing Subaru’s story, the sound of Jamal gritting his teeth echoed throughout the room.

For Jamal, Todd was a comrade and more than that, he was the future brother-in-law to whom he entrusted his sister Kachua. So he too was hurt by Subaru’s report.

It was an extremely strange sensation, but still, Subaru wished for Todd’s survival, if possible.

Having had his trust brutally betrayed, having had his life targeted, and in a realm where he had frequently reclaimed it through “Return by Death,” he still…

Just because of the many battles he had faced with Todd, he understood.

Todd was nothing special, just an ordinary being without any special abilities. The fact that he was a werewolf was not a game-changer sufficient to reverse situations that presented lethal threats.

In circumstances where Subaru would die and where survival seemed impossible, Todd would lose his life too.

Todd Fang had died, swept away by that flood.

That was, the answer that Subaru, having witnessed his life’s final explosion, conveyed to Kachua Aurelie.

—

Silence fell within the room.

A silence that felt like it was scorching his forehead and neck, it was pain that Subaru had decided to carry himself, a hurt he must bear.

As he continued to taste that sensation like his skin was being burned, after a while—

“…You didn’t see the crucial parts, did you? If so, he might not be dead.”

With a wavering and fractured voice, Kachua spoke, lifting her head.

Not just Subaru, but Rem, Jamal, and Kachua all focused their eyes on her. Kachua twirled her hair with her finger and allowed her blues eyes to roam.

“If, if you were there, and if you saw Todd’s head being crushed or his body torn in half or burned blackened, something like that, then you might think it’s true… but…”

“Kachua…”

“But look, he’s a survivor, incredibly, surprisingly hard to kill. Plus, he said it at parting. He’ll come back soon—absolutely to me… he doesn’t lie. So that means my brother’s death! It’s just a mistake in wording!”

“Kachua!”

Raising her voice, Kachua began tugging at her hair. Seeing that, Subaru urgently called her, and Rem embraced Kachua’s head.

Bringing Kachua’s head to rest against her chest, Rem stroked her back.

“Now, now, take deep breaths. I’ll be here by your side…”

“It’s not, it’s not like that… he wouldn’t die that easily… right? Right, Rem…”

“Kachua…”

Large drops of tears poured from Kachua’s eyes, wetting Rem’s clothes as she held her. Ignoring that, Rem kept patting her sobbing friend’s back.

Feeling Kachua’s open-hearted response pulled hard on Subaru’s chest.

He understood.

He knew every time he mentioned Todd, Kachua would get hurt like this. It was truly, truly a complicated situation, but Todd’s feelings for Kachua must have been genuine. Kachua was undoubtedly cherished by Todd. That was precisely why she cried this way.

So Subaru did not mention the more cruel truths.

Rem was unaware of it. —It was Rem who delivered the finishing blow to Todd, who had turned into a werewolf.

To protect Subaru, Rem had dealt the final blow to Todd.

At that time, Todd had been in his werewolf form, and until the last moment of being submerged, his mutation remained, so Rem didn’t know that truth. Subaru had no intention of letting her know.

Subaru did not think there was value in the truth.

Todd loved Kachua, and Kachua did too. That was what mattered. There was no reason to cling to the realness at the cost of shattering those memories.

“Todd truly cherished Kachua. Until the very end.”

That was the expressionless motivation with which Natsuki Subaru conveyed his feelings to Kachua Aurelie, despite having faced Todd Fang’s raw murderous intent.

—

Kachua, sobbing, enclosed her arms around Rem’s back, digging in her claws hard. Rem silently accepted that painful gesture.

In the room full of sobs, Rem briefly glanced at Subaru, shaking her head.

In that glance was both a plea for Kachua to be left to her and gratitude toward Subaru for coming with such awareness even when knowing this would happen.

—

“—I’m sorry for making you take on an unpleasant role, kid.”

As Subaru left the room, he was met with those words from Jamal.

In his disarmingly straightforward voice, Subaru raised an eyebrow at Jamal’s surprisingly sincere statement. Jamal grimaced, as if to say, “So what?”

“Delivering news of the dead to their family is a tough job. Even if you talk about how brave and courageous they were in death, there will be those who wish to cry.”

“…What about you?”

“Ah?”

“Wasn’t that guy a comrade for you too, and also your sister’s fiancé? He was special, right?”

Jamal grimaced and contemplated under his breath over Subaru’s inquiry.

After a short silence, he touched the eyepatch covering his right eye with his finger.

“I don’t know. If that dude had survived, we’d have laughed it off for both surviving, but I skipped that stage. Well, if he died in battle, then he went out as an imperial soldier. Despite all that shit we giggled at.”

“—”

While saying that, Jamal coyly snorted, letting out a chuckle at the end.

Though Subaru couldn’t be sure if it was a laugh thinking back on Todd’s unsatisfactory end or just a smile aligned with the empire’s curious customs, he found it hard to laugh upon someone’s death.

“Just…”

As Subaru thought that, Jamal continued suddenly.

The tone of his voice caused Subaru to widen his eyes. Packed within his voice was not rage or loneliness, but something akin to anticipation.

That impression was indeed accurate. Jamal stated.

“I don’t think that guy would die that easily. Kachua’s words are true… Even at the end, I haven’t seen him die yet.”

“Sort of… OW!”

“Shut it, kid. That is a hope for Kachua if not for me.”

As Subaru was about to reflexively retort, Jamal flicked his finger against Subaru’s forehead. Silenced, Subaru was instructed with Jamal’s chin toward the door behind him.

The hope that Jamal pronounced could either be bright or cruel, but Subaru had no means to discern it. He simply knew he had no rights to speak about it.

Only those who were invited to and allowed to participate in Kachua’s and Todd’s lives have the right to intervene in that feeling. —Subaru didn’t have that right.

“Damn, saying I don’t want to fight but still being reckless. Because of that, you attempted traversing a much more dangerous path than I would.”

Glancing at the ceiling of the corridor, Jamal commented on Todd.

Subaru had no rights to point out that neither had he made an appearance nor that his voice had been shaking.

—

“Hey, Subaru-kun! You sure seem lively! You look youthful after not seeing you for a while! Maybe it’s thanks to the food in the empire?”

“Wow, that’s impressive! The only one who could tell such a harsh joke after seeing me like this is Rozwal.”

“Oh, everyone seems to be in a frenzy! By the way, here I am called Dudley, you know? —So just keep that in mind from here on out!”

Closing one of his blue eyes and keeping the yellow one, he winks at Subaru, who broke into a smile at his first meeting with Rozwal in a long time.

Rozwal, remaining unfazed upon seeing the frugal Subaru was certainly the Rozwal who had stood out before, but Subaru chose not to remark on his outfit being different from his usual clown garb. He felt a little annoyed, and the tone of his insistence had avoided the need for an explanation.

Subaru, after finishing his report to Kachua concerning Todd’s final moments, had come to the large-style passenger car which was ready in the middle of the Dragon Carriage.

The Dragon Carriage—while similar in structure to a train, especially in flat terrain-rich Volakia Empire, it was a unique vehicle.

Originally, since the kingdom of Lugnica was where the number of earth dragons lay, it also lingered on the back of his mind whether a similar means could be prepared if the terrain were chosen right.

“This Dragon Carriage is actually part of the empire’s secrets, they say. Apparently, it’s something the wise “Nine Divine Generals” have devised…”

“I thought as much. I’ve never seen anything like this in the kingdom… Now if I think about it, we’ve been pretty exposed to the core of the empire.”

“Ha ha ha, if peeking too much into the empire’s dark parts prevents our return, it would be terrible. It might be wiser to just spend the time keeping your eyes closed from now on!”

“These are far from things to laugh about…”

As Subaru muttered that, Rozwal laughed and agreed, causing Otto to sink his face into the dejection of his story.

The passenger car was like a dining car that was filled with several tables, capable of accommodating around twenty people or so. However, the purpose of those tables was not so much for meals but rather conferences and military meetings.

Indeed, not just Subaru and Rozwal, but a throng of faces were gathering there.

Among them, of course, were Emilia and Beatrice, who had arrived earlier, and also Ram was seen at the same table.

Looking at Subaru, Ram cast a suspicious eye on him.

“Little Balus, where’s Rem? She was supposed to be with you.”

“That crown is absolutely unnecessary… Rem is with Kachua right now. I think she can’t make it for this discussion.”

“—I see.”

With a sigh, Ram didn’t press the issue any further about Subaru’s reply.

Having finally reunited with her sister Rem, it seemed they weren’t as inseparable as Subaru had thought. Originally, the two had given the impression of being quite attached, so Subaru hoped they would still be holding hands together.

“Both Ram and Rem are individual people. Don’t impose your childish feelings on them. It’s disgusting.”

“Don’t read people’s minds! I’m not disgusting!”

“While you weren’t there, Rem was being supported by those around her. I don’t wish to undermine those relationships. You have a presumptuous mentality, immature Balus.”

“I’ll be keeping an eye on how long your variety of calling me lasts, sister…!”

With Ram’s every trick leaving him twitching, Subaru took a deep breath.

While Ram’s argument was valid, it would do no good to rush. First, the sisterly reunion had taken place, so there was no need to hurry; it was best to take matters slowly.

There was no reason to worry; a bond existed between Ram and Rem that no one could come between.

That thought itself could be trusted from the ambiance when they both came together to visit him.

“However, are only these members here? Petra, Frederica, and Garfiel?”

“Petra-chan and Frederica are attending to the soldiers fighting. Garfiel is also busy tending to the wounded…”

“Fighting in the present tense, huh?”

“Yup, that’s right. Subaru probably saw plenty of it in the capital…”

As Emilia spoke, her voice hesitated at the notion of where the absent members were.

Subaru had an inkling of what she was about to say.

“Zombies, huh…”

“What is that odd term?”

“Moving dead people. Back in my hometown, we call them zombies. I thought having some label would be better since it’s more convenient to call them that.”

“Isn’t your hometown a bit too chaotic for that?”

With Otto giving Subaru a reluctant sideways glance, the latter twisted his mouth into a frown.

In this case, one could argue that the presence of actual zombies in this world was odd or claim it was bizarre how many fiction works emerged back home based on something that didn’t even exist.

“Indeed. That’s fine, zombie works. At the very least, I’d prefer to avoid calling them ‘corpse soldiers.’”

At that, Rozwal interjected into the conversation between Subaru and Otto.

Revisiting the term he had spoken, Subaru mumbled, “Corpse soldiers…”

“It gives off an unpleasant memory associated right away, doesn’t it?”

“Indeed. One of those memories I don’t wish to recall,”

“Just as we discussed in the capital, it shouldn’t be mistaken as the result of ‘The Undying King’s Secret Technique.’ Based on records, the most recent use was during the civil war in the kingdom.”

“That’s where the unpleasant memory comes from,”

Rozwal replied with an ambiguous smile, avoiding absolutely confirming that.

Rozwal, who was knowledgeable about history, might have had an unpleasant experience due to the relationship with that “Undying King’s Secret Technique,” even if he had never participated in the internal conflict.

“Although, as far as Betty knows, that secret art must have been a more unstable thing. Growing so many zombies at such high fidelity is impossible.”

“Yet, as they’re actually moving around and talking, there must be a reason, right?”

“…Betty is troubled as well. Dudley, don’t you dare slack off.”

“Oh my, it would be unfair to think I’m slacking. I’m also a party to this issue, and I have no wrongs to throw at you. After all, your lives hang in the balance, too.”

“How far can we really trust that…?”

“Understood, since your life is also at stake, I will keep that in mind.”

“What’s there to get?” Beatrice flushed and angrily shouted at Rozwal’s answer.

Being upset for being provoked, Beatrice exploded, but Subaru too didn’t quite understand Rozwal’s true intentions. However, since Beatrice was Subaru’s partner, he merely stuck his tongue out.

“Well, I don’t know much in detail, but can we just call them ‘zombies’ as Subaru suggested?”

“Is that alright? It’s shorter than ‘corpse soldiers.’”

“Otto’s usual perspective of agreement…”

As such, the discussion among Subaru and the others came to a languid pause.

“—Sir, per the report from General Kafma, we’ll temporarily remain by the Gaillaharu warm zone, and we’ll stall the pursuers as much as possible.”

“General Roswaal has indicated he’ll employ delaying tactics with his Shinobi forces. However, given the enemy doesn’t require water or food replenishments, our available actions are roughly halved!”

“Tell both Kafma Ilurukusu and Roswaal Dunkelken to continue operations as planned. Serena Dracloy, how about the flying dragon ship?”

“It hasn’t returned yet. I can only hope it doesn’t indicate the fall of the castle city.”

“…If it has done what it is supposed to, there must be supplies prepared in the castle city.”

Within the guest car, important discussions were flying back and forth upon the arrival of Abel and those accompanying him from the empire—an old man, a tall man, and a beautiful lady.

They were all people whose names Subaru didn’t know.

“The elderly gentleman is Chancellor Belstet Fondalfon, the tall one is General Goz Ralfon, and that woman is Baroness Selena Dracloy.”

“Thanks for that… Goz, isn’t he the one they said got captured after helping Abel escape?”

Subaru’s side turned serious, while Otto provided a note of clarification regarding the name he had heard that raised concern for survival, belonging to one of the “Nine Divine Generals.”

If he was alive, he was someone who could be deemed an ally to Abel, so seeing him standing next to Abel was indeed a reason to welcome him sincerely.

“You all are here too. How fortunate, let’s begin our military conference.”

“Hey, are Flopp and the others not joining us?”

“While there might still be a manpower shortage at the castle city, having a trader join a military conference would yield no benefit right now.”

“So why am I here…?”

Pondering with suspicion on his side, Subaru wondered about Abel’s assessment while Otto raised his brow.

However, the reason Otto had doubts remained a mystery for everyone on Emilia’s side, including Subaru. It was only natural that Otto was here.

It was more like the other side, where Ram, had commented, “Ha!” and laughed.

“Talitta and Mizelda are stationed further back in the passenger car, so they won’t join this discussion, right?”

“Exactly. I’ve also heard that the people from Shudrak seem to feel that way. If the opportunity arises to flex their muscles, they’ll go all out, which is reassuring to hear.”

“Never would I have thought that I’d have the chance to stand shoulder to shoulder with the fierce and fearless ‘People of Shudrak!’ If it weren’t for risking the survival of the empire, I would have been more stirred up about it! Curse!”

“Quiet down. Keep your mouth closed.”

With a fist as large as a child’s head tightly clenched, Abel quieted Goz, as it was harsh words. However, as everyone remained unbothered, it was probably just their usual exchanges.

At any rate, it became clear why Flopp and the rest would not be present.

“Subaru, are your imperial friends…”

“I did tell the battalion that I would represent them in discussions here. I have a few things I’d like to consult with everyone first. Especially about Betty.”

“About Betty…? I don’t have a good feeling about that.”

“Well, well, well.”

Subaru had briefly informed the companions in the Pleiades Battalion to refrain from expressing their presence at this venue.

After all, it was a scene with both Subaru and Abel seated. If things went wrong, there was a risk that Vaits would lash out at Abel and attempt to hand over the seat of the throne to Subaru.

Subaru was still maintaining the facade that he was the bastard child of Abel—Vincent Volakia, the “Black-Haired Crown Prince.” This issue needed to be resolved as well.

“At the very least, I thought Tanzer should be allowed to come along…”

After all, bringing someone who wasn’t in good spirits felt guilty, so for now, Subaru would be the only guest from the battalion.

During the time of the wake as well, he would have to confer with Tanzer afterward.

“Furthermore, I haven’t seen Lui around either…”

“If you mean her, she’s with Medium and Flopp. She seems quite attached to them, but what are you going to do about Balus?”

“—That one too, we’ll want to discuss it later with everyone.”

Ram’s pale pink eyes narrowed, and Subaru had no choice but to respond that way.

He was aware of Ram’s knowledge that Lui had been present at the Pleiades Watchtower when Subaru and Rem were transported to the empire. Naturally, it seemed the identity of Lui had been shared among Ram, Abel, and everyone else.

Even so, her being in this Dragon Carriage raised deep questions regarding the efforts and works that led to that, something he wanted to get to the bottom of as well.

From there, they needed to search for the best resolution regarding Lui.

“Finally, let’s get back to the military council after you finally managed to catch up, Natsuki Subaru,”

“Don’t forget I have a huge scandal hanging over me too, huh? Well, that aside, let’s not forget…”

Subaru distinctly lowered his head in remembrance of the early memory, but Abel showed no signs of altering his initially composed attitude.

He chose to bring up the matter at hand, promptly halting to ensure that the presence of the involved individuals had not been confirmed yet.

That was—

“—What about Priscilla? She was supposed to be in Gwararu, and wasn’t she in the capital too? And according to Tanzer, Yorna-san also?”

She should’ve been there. Subaru asked while looking at Abel.

Whatever the circumstances were, Priscilla and her entourage had ended up in the Volakia Empire. The same went for Al, who, after all, had accompanied him all the way to the Magic City Chaos Frame, so she would’ve certainly participated in the battle of the Imperial Capital Rupugana.

Regarding Yorna, even her collaboration with the rebels was something Subaru and the others had caught wind of. Tanzer surely sensed Yorna’s presence in the capital.

Naturally, such figures would have to make their appearance on this Dragon Carriage.

If one could say she was absent; he hadn’t seen Cecil either, but the whims of Cecilis had always been apparent since departing Gladiator Island, so there were no concerns on that aspect.

“—Hey?”

However, to Subaru’s inquiry, Abel fell silent and squinted one eye shut, creating an atmosphere of awkward tension.

Noticing that it wasn’t solely Abel responding like that made Subaru shake his head at the surrounding expressions.

“Why is it that no one is saying anything about Priscilla and her contingent?”

If they had indeed shown disloyalty and returned to the kingdom before the campaign for the capital, that would have ignited surprises concerning Priscilla’s name among Emilia and the others.

Yet that information wasn’t present. Embarking on this awkward silence, the answer was—

“—Subaru, perhaps it was withheld to avoid confusion.”

“Beatrice?”

Asserting herself, Beatrice had risen to stand, now on Subaru’s hand. Upon her introduction, Subaru’s cheeks hardened.

It was then that Beatrice gently grasped Subaru’s hand, and Emilia glanced at him.

“Please stay calm while listening, Subaru. About Priscilla and Yorna…”

A moment of pause was placed.

To impatient Subaru, the brief moment felt lengthy, and Emilia cut through the stillness.

What she said was—

“When we all escaped from the capital, those two were not found… —I want to believe they are safe, but…”

—

That was the certainty of wounds inflicted upon their side during the battle for the Imperial Capital.